"The whole case was politicized," Zaidi's brother Dhirgham, who attended the sentencing, told ABC News. It was "an unjust verdict."

His brother Maytham told ABC News that "my brother didn't follow any political party. He is independent. My brother used to always say that he is a Sunni. He is a Shiite. He represents all the Iraqis."

The incident occurred during a Dec. 14 news conference in Baghdad with Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Zaidi, who was a correspondent for Al-Baghdadiya television, had always planned to throw shoes at Bush.

Bush ducked to avoid the shoes and was not hurt. Officials wrestled Zaidi to the ground and arrested him.

Abdul Sattar Al Berqdar, a spokesman for the Iraqi Criminal Court, told ABC News that Zaidi was sentenced to three years in jail according to article No. 23 of the Iraqi Judicial Law, "Attacking a visiting foreign president."

Berqdar also added that "Zaidi has the right to appeal within a period of one month."

The court could have sentenced Zaidi to up to 15 years in jail but his attorneys argued for leniency.

Dhia Al Saadi, one of Zaidi's lawyers who is the head of the Iraqi Lawyers Syndicate, argued that "the court sessions should be made public according to the Iraqi penalties law."

Arab Reaction to Shoe-Thrower Sentence

Arab lawyers from different countries showed their willingness to be part of Zaidi's defending team, Al Saadi said. The total number of lawyers was a staggering 25, according to Al Saadi.